Directions

Heat a non-stick pan coated with cooking spray. Cook the ham until it is somewhat crispy. Place the ham in a bowl and set aside. Heat the oil and saute the onions and garlic, unitl the onions are tender about 5 min. Add the onion mixture to the ham. Place the flour in the pan and let it cook for just a minute. Slowly add the milk to the pan and stir while doing so. Cook until the milk thickens. Add the cream cheese. Stir until it all melts. It may help to speed up melting if the cream cheese is cut into cubes before added to the pan. Stir in the peas, 1 cup of parmesan, basil, salt and pepper. Add the sauce and ham mixture to the pasta and toss well. Sprinkle the top with remaining parmesan

This was really tasty. I used mini farfalle instead of fusilli. I lightened it up some by only using 1/2 c of parm. Next time, I might try subbing in light garlic herb Laughing Cow for the light cream cheese.
- 9/25/08